The Care and Support Alliance respond to the Queen’s speech

News item posted: 19 June 2017

Responding to the inclusion of a Care Bill in today's Queen's
Speech, Richard Hawkes, Chair of the Care & Support Alliance,
said:

"The social care system is in deep crisis. The number of older
people, disabled people and carers that need social care is
increasing. At the same time budgets are shrinking and support is
being rationed.

The Care and Support Alliance welcomes the commitment from the
Government to end the grossly unfair postcode lottery of the
current system and introduce a lifetime cap on the costs of care.
But there is a real danger that eligibility will be set at a level
that excludes most people that need support to get up, get dressed
and get out of the house.

Legislation alone can't solve the care crisis. The Care and
Support bill, unveiled tomorrow, needs to be accompanied by a much
needed emergency injection of funds together with a long-term
financial commitment ensuring that older, disabled, seriously ill
people and their carers are supported by a fair and sustainable
care system."

The Care & Support Alliance is a consortium of over 65
organisations who represent and support older people, disabled
people and people with long-term health conditions and their
families. We are working together to promote urgent reform to
tackle the crisis in our care system.